EAP Index World: Christmas With Elvis (EP

Title:

Christmas With Elvis

Label:

RCA Victor [EPA 4340]

Format:

Number of tracks:

Running time:

9:25

Type of album:

Studio / Compilation

Linked to:

Official discography

Year:

1959

Recorded:

September 6 & 7, 1957

Released:

October 13, 1959

Singles:

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Christmas With Elvis was Elvis' last Christmas EP on RCA. It contained four festive tracks recorded at Radio Recorders Studio 1 in Hollywood and previously available on the LP "Elvis' Christmas Album".

In January 1957, Elvis recorded his first gospel tracks in his career. They were released in April of the same year on an EP entitled "Peace in the Valley", to test the public's reaction to a possible record containing only religious songs.

The success of the release made RCA see that there was a lot of earning potential in the idea and, why not, in the claim that Elvis should have his own Christmas album, as Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra had been doing annually for some time.

So the project was put on the agenda and Elvis began working with the label on an album that would redefine the spirit of Christmas releases. As for the Gospel LP, the idea was put on the back burner to facilitate Elvis' schedule, which also included soundtrack recordings and filming.

With the Colonel's marketing ploy, sending his pupil to the army in Germany in 1958, he was only able to fulfill his dream on his return in 1960, releasing his first Gospel album, "His Hand in Mine".

In September 1957 Elvis began recording the original eight tracks for his first Christmas LP, "Elvis' Christmas Album", which hit stores on October 15 of that year with the addition of the "Peace in the Valley" EP as bonus final tracks.

Before the end of 1957, the edition released on October 15 of that year was already sold out and the album had sold over 3 million copies, having also spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Top Pop Albums, thanks to the contribution of the January EP which had been a bestseller.

To help with publicity, RCA issued the "Elvis Sings Christmas Songs" EP the following day with four of the songs that the label felt had the greatest sales potential: "Santa Bring My Baby Back (to Me)", "Santa Claus is Back in Town", "Blue Christmas" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas", an acclaimed musical icon.

As sales of the 1957 LP continued to break records, RCA decided to re-release it in 1958 and again in 1959, this time with an accompanying EP. "Christmas With Elvis" hit stores on October 13, 1959, three weeks after the re-release of "Elvis' Christmas Album", and was yet another hit for what would become the best-selling holiday album in record history.

The work includes the following tracks:

ORIGINAL EP

SIDE A

1. White Christmas

2. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)

SIDE B

3. Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

4. Silent Night

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RECORDING SESSIONS

Dates:

September 6 & 7, 1957

Studio:

Radio Recorders Studio 1

Location:

Hollywood, Califórnia

Musicians:

Voice: Elvis Presley
Vocals (track): Red West
Guitar: Scotty Moore, Chip Young, Harold Bradley, Peter Drake
Bass: Bob Moore
Drums: DJ Fontana, Murray 'Buddy' Harman
Piano: David Briggs
Organ: Henry Slaughter
Timpany: Murray 'Buddy' Harman
Bongos: Murray 'Buddy' Harman
Saxophone: Rufus Long
Backing Vocals: The Jordanaires, Millie Kirkham

Producer:

Steve Sholes
Sound engineer:

Thorne Nogar

SEPTEMBER 6, 1957
My Wish Came True H2PB 5524-28
White Christmas H2PB 5526-09
Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) H2PB 5527-02
Silent Night H2PB 5528-09
Don't H2PB 5529-07

SEPTEMBER 7, 1957
Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem H2PB 5530-04
Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) H2PB 5531-09
Santa Claus Is Back In town H2PB 5532-07
I'll Be Home For Christmas H2PB 5533-15

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SESSION LOGS